Enjoy Historic Food and Drink for an Honest Fourth of July This Election Year

Soon the U.S. will be celebrating its Independence Day. No president is more associated with American ideals than George Washington. Yet, similar to the current presidential campaign rhetoric, myths equally abound regarding the nation’s first president and Colonial War hero. Just consider...

Then: George Washington refused his general’s salary of $48,000 while serving for 8 years as commander of the Continental Army. Instead, he billed Congress only for his expenses, which totaled $447,220!

Now: Mitt Romney has accepted no public campaign donations, choosing instead to rely on Super PACS funded by millionaires.

Human Rights

Then: George Washington was the only slave-owning President who ever freed his slaves – all 124 of them.

Then: Washington operated one of the new nation’s most commercial successful distilleries at Mt Vernon, producing rye whiskey, apple and peach brandies.

Now: Religious guidelines aside, the White House needs to continue to represent the bounty of America to its many international guests, including California’s wines and Kentucky’s legendary whiskeys and bourbons.

Hospitality

Then: George Washington hosted a nearly endless stream of guests. He also belonged to many social clubs and service organizations such as the Fish House Club and Masons.

As you can see, the U.S. has come a long way, and yet, still has further to go. So, why not skip the patriotically named red-white-and-blue colored cocktails this Fourth, and drink what Washington drank, the famed Fish House Punch, matched with his favorite Colonial Hoe Cakes.

It’s a strong drink, but it’s honest – the way we still long for our politicians to be.

Fish House Punch

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

3 ½ cups water

1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons), strained

1 (750-ml) bottle Jamaican amber rum

12 oz. Cognac (1 1/2 cups)

2 oz. peach brandy (1/4 cup)

Lemon Slices

Special Equipment: Half Gallon Cardboard Juice or Milk Carton, Top end cut off

Directions

To make ice block, fill carton with water and freeze until solid, about 8 hours.

Stir together sugar and 31/2 cups water in a large bowl or pot until sugar is dissolved.